I have to respond to the following statements of my classmates. Please provide 75-100 words to each statement with a reference to each if applicable.
posted by DEBORAH RHODES at Mar 31, 2015, 9:37 AM
Last updated Mar 31, 2015, 9:37 AM
I personally think that communication is the most important element of a strategic plan. Since communication is essential to all areas of business, it is probably the most essential element in a strategic plan. With this being said, I feel that there are other areas that should be considered in the plan. Other areas that are important are the planning committee, the vision and mission statement, the values goals and objectives, the tasks that the organization are hoping to achieve, and finally implementation and monitoring of the strategic plan.
I feel that each level of the plan is dependent upon the others to give the plan stability to weather the hard times. Without a solid foundation such as communication, the plan is already in trouble as miscommunication happens more than we want to admit in the business industry. No business therefore is immune to this and that is why it is the most important.
posted by TENISHA RIVERS-HILL at Mar 31, 2015, 4:05 AM
Last updated Mar 31, 2015, 4:05 AM
The most important part of the strategic plan is the evaluation process. During the evaluation process, administrators analyze data in regards to the program’s progress in implementing strategic plan strategies(Hunger & Wheelen, 2011,). Evaluation is the most important part of the strategic plan process because it determines the extent that the organization achieves objectives and the evaluation data can improve the implementation of activities and programs currently and in the future. Evaluation should occur periodically throughout the duration of the strategic plan and the findings let the funding partners know about the strategic plans progression.
My organization relies heavily on local, state and federal funding to support our programs and to keep the program up and running. Current trends show, enrollment is down for children ages 1-5. Results of a prior strategic plan evaluation indicates that once children turn 1 and no longer need formula, many women do not see value in the WIC program, and no longer keep or make new appointments. Increasing the enrollment and retention of children age 1-4 was added into the most recent strategic plan. It is very important to evaluate our programs and activities because if my organization does not meet the expectation of funding sources, the organization will have a difficult time justifying the use of funding received and justifying the need of funding in the future. Without funding, there will be no WIC program serving the community, and this is why evaluation is the most critical component to my organization’s strategic plan.
posted by NATHAN JACKSON at Mar 31, 2015, 11:14 PM
Last updated Mar 31, 2015, 11:14 PM
I believe that the most important element in the strategic plan is the environmental analysis. The environmental analysis is the piece of the plan that assesses the internal environment and external environment. The environmental analysis purpose is to look at the opportunities and threats that are external and the strengths and weaknesses that are internal. The strategic plan is made up of many elements that have very important roles. I think the financial piece is also important because it gives the plan the fuel to make it happen. I also think the evaluation part is important because it looks at the entire plan and tracks the data of if it’s working or not. In my opinion i think the environmental analysis illustrates the direction the plan should go. The plan is always going to reflect the environment. I find the environmental analysis to be interesting i see the strategic plan being constructed around the environment. When I didn’t my strategic plan my environmental analysis helped shaped my goals. My organization just added a few new departments and that were based on the external and internal environment. I think all the elements of strategic planning are important and when there are combined a plan can be successful but i don’t see a plan being formed without a environmental analysis.
posted by TENISHA RIVERS-HILL at Mar 31, 2015, 4:42 AM
Last updated Mar 31, 2015, 4:42 AM
Strategic plan evaluations focus on the organization’s analyzing qualitative and quantitative metrics used to implement the organizational strategy (Hunger & Wheelen, 2011,). The evaluation metrics are quantifiable and my organization attaches these metrics to measures of breastfeeding rates. Qualitative factors of evaluations at my organization include measures of how participants perceive WIC staff and the WIC experience. Control helps the organization determine whether benchmarks have been met and if the organization has achieved their goals.
Evaluation and control is vital to the sustainability of an organization because there is an accountability trend in the health care industry. Organizations must provide cost controlled, quality, patient-centered care or face the possibilities of not receiving reimbursement from a third party payer for services rendered. Evaluation and control help organizations identify if programs and activities are effective or ineffective. If the activities are unsuccessful, they must be changed. If the activities are effective, they should be replicated. It would be a disservice to the organization and the community is organizations continue to practice the some ineffective practices of the past, and receive the same sub-par results. In this day and age, if healthcare organizations evaluate and control in order to provide quality care and maintain a good reputation in the community.
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